Chessed and Avoiding Chillul Hashem

I think non jews (unless they are little kids, or adults who think like little kids) understand that Chanukah is a jewish holiday. Of course one should use seichel. If you walk in and announce we are here to visit the sick and bring a little happiness, then yes, include the non jew.

One of my children was hospitalized in NYU Medical Ctr a number of years ago. The ladies from the various bikur cholims always offered a danish or other treat to the non jewish child (and his parents and visitors) whenever they came, which was several times a day with the myriad of wonderful bikur cholims and their volunteers that came through the hospital every day. The Roman Catholic father actually told me he had a new found respect for “hasidics” after seeing their selfless chessed for almost a week, and how they extended it even to a non jew, graciously, with a smile.

Ma, you are so right and it is so wonderful that you started such a positive thread. Unfortunately I have spent way too much time in hospitals and it doesn’t matter what religion you are. When a visitor comes in to the room, they light up the room for both patients. In addition, in so many instances that we don’t even realize, the “other” patient especially with the elderly may not even have visitors or a limited amount while we b”h have so many wether it is our own mishpacha, or someone who happened to be in the hospital and heard our parent was there so stopped by or bikur cholim, or volunteers from the local school, etc.

So Ma, you are so right, always make a kidush hashem and include the other patient unless they seclude themselves behind the curtain, then leave it up to the patient themselves to include or not. But when visiting children, always have extras for the other children.